Coach Olić has announced the list of players for the matches against Andorra and Greece

The Croatia U-21 team continues their qualifications for the 2025 European Championship in Slovakia. Croatia has two upcoming home matches in Koprivnica, on October 11 against Andorra and on October 15 against Greece. Coach Olić has called up 23 players for this action and has issued 8 pre-invitations (Maro Katinić, Domagoj Bukvić, Šimun Mikolčić, Antonio Baždarić, Matija Frigan, Stipe Biuk, Luka Kapulica, Luka Hodak).

"We have extremely important matches ahead of us against Andorra and Greece. It has been a little while since the last gathering, so there have not been major changes to the roster. I am pleased that we have a broad base of talented players, and the list of 23 players we have called up reflects our faith in the strength of this team. We also sent out eight pre-invitations because we want to be prepared for every situation and leave room for additional options, depending on how things develop.

After our last matches, where we recorded a victory against the Faroe Islands and a loss to Portugal, it is important that we approach the next two games with quality and seriousness. Our position in the table requires maximum concentration and responsibility, and I expect us to deliver quality play at home in Koprivnica and showcase our skills.

I am confident that with such a performance, we will achieve the desired results and remain in the race for qualification for the European Championship", said Olić.

The U-21 national team will gather on October 7 in Zagreb, from where they will head to Prelog to train for the matches against Andorra and Greece.

After the previous two matches against the Faroe Islands and Portugal, Croatia is in third place in Group G with five points less than the leading Portugal, and one point less than the second-placed Greece, which has one more game.

List of players for the matches against Andorra and Greece:

Goalkeepers: Nikola Čavlina (NK Osijek), Franko Kolić (NŠ Mura), Ivan Mandić (HNK Vukovar 1991)

Defenders: Luka Vušković (K.V.C. Westerlo), Moreno Živković (NK Lokomotiva), Dominik Prpić (HNK Hajduk), Ivan Cvijanović (NK Osijek), Šimun Hrgović (HNK Hajduk), Matia Barzić (Elche)

Midfielders: Branko Pavić (GNK Dinamo), Lovro Zvonarek (Sturm Graz), Veldin Hodža (FC Rubin Kazan), Marko Soldo (NK Osijek), Leon Belcar (NK Varaždin), Lukas Kačavenda (GNK Dinamo), Luka Stojković (GNK Dinamo), Marin Šotiček (FC Basel 1893)

Forwards: Marin Ljubičić (LASK), Anton Matković (NK Osijek), Ante Crnac (Norwich), Gabriel Vidović (1. FSV Mainz 05), Franjo Ivanović (R. Union St-Gilloise), Dion Drena Beljo (SK Rapid)

Stand-by: Maro Katinić (Sharjah), Domagoj Bukvić (NK Osijek), Šimun Mikolčić (NK Osijek), Antonio Baždarić (NK Lokomotiva), Matija Frigan (K.V.C. Westerlo), Stipe Biuk (HNK Hajduk), Luka Kapulica (HNK Gorica), Luka Hodak (HNK Hajduk).

Qualification schedule for the 2025 European Championship:

Croatia - Andorra, October 11, 2024, at 18:00, Koprivnica
Croatia - Greece, October 15, 2024, at 18:00, Koprivnica

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